Alturiak 1377 - CoRD Strikes Back

The elf didn't try to stifle the laughter as the mage confronted him, though he did admire the courage. Approaching, defenseless, a man that would think nothing of crushing his throat... It was more than Alagian expected of him.

"See there, 'my brother'," he grinned at Elric as he gestured to the mage storming back out into the hallway, "even those you name your friends trust neither your judgement NOR your skills, and you wonder why I doubt my father's choices?"

His eye twinkled a bit as he turned to regard Therogeon.

"Antolle ulua sulrim, istar <Much wind pours from your mouth, wizard>... If you believe that wearing elf skin somehow makes you an elf, you are sadly mistaken. You were born a half elf. You were raised a half elf. No matter how many centuries you are forced to live with your own wretchedness, that is all you will ever be.

"Now then," he said, turning back to the younger master and smiling pleasantly, "if you're done saying your good-byes, I'd rather like to get this business underway!"

"So... This is your party. How do you want to do this... Standard tournament rules... Anything goes... Weapons? Open hand?" Elric knew that whatever rules Alagian set, he would abide by. The Elf had too much to prove and more pride than was healthy to be deemed 'cheating.' Since it was his use of Salk-sirra that he found so offensive, the half-dragon was certain that would be the stipulation... The answer surprised him.

"We were trained that anything and everything is weapon, yes?" Elric nodded in response. "Then you have my permission to use whatever you wish to prolong the inevitable."

The answer concerned Elric. In his mind it meant that Alagian was MASSIVELY confident... or he was more interested in killing his young colleague then he was 'defeating' him. In one deft move Elric removed the sword belt containing the Everdawn blade and wrapped the belt around the scabbard. This was another part of his legacy. His fathers sword that had found it's way back to him. Ashara and he had enchanted it greatly over the years, and he knew the inherent magic would always find it's way back to an Everdawn. Regardless of time or distance, it would one day be wielded by his descendants. However... No sense making things difficult. He looked behind him at the impatient mage and tossed him the bundle. Therogeon would see that it was taken care of.

"Afraid I'll take a trophy?" He heard the elf scoff. "Fear not, your human woman and whelps can keep their toys... After I've destroyed you, I intend to forget all about you. You and the blight on my families honor will be thought of no more. I've no interest in remembrances."

Elric's eyes flared to life as he slowly approached his opponent. "I may not know how this day will end 'brother'... But I can promise you one thing... You won't forget this day."

Like wild panthers they slowly circled each other. Each measuring the other, searching for a hole in the other's defense. Nothing was found however. Eldorath trained his students well.

Alagian made the first strike. Lightning fast fists and kicks that were just a blur. Elric swatted them aside easily and returned the favor. His own attacks were plucked out of the air with half hearted disdain. For some time they continued to strike and parry. Elric was stunned by how similar to his Tura, Alagian was. The way he moved. the way he held his balance as Elric tested his defenses. Elric was striking with the most basic of Attacks he taught, and Alagian knew all the proper counters. Elric of course knew all the counters to his counters too... and so it went...

The disdain in Alagian's glare told Elric he knew what the young master was up to. It didn't mean that he could stop it. Elric had trained with fighters and masters from Impresk to Waterdeep. Everyone had flaws if you knew where to look. A fighting style was unique to the person. Even the best of fighters favored one leg or leaned too far of center. He had fought so many people, but never another master of Salk-sirra. The way the feet moved in familiar patterns showed zero doubt who had trained him. There were flaws, though not the ones he'd expected.

He had intended to attack the right side. The loss of an eye was an advantage, one that Elric couldn't ignore. However after a few minutes of testing, it was obvious that Alagian wouldn't allow it to be used against him. Elric wasn't that surprised... It was a long shot to begin with and if Eldorath hadn't changed his training much... then being blind wasn't the hindrance one would think. The truth was the elf spent so much time overcompensating for the missing eye... his left leg may be vulnerable. 'May'. He filed that away for the future.

Having only trained with Eldorath and with so much time since he'd last seen his mentor, he was amazed at the differences in the combatants styles. Alagian's 'dance' was much closer to his father's than Elric's was... The elf focused on Speed, grace, and dexterity so common amongst his people... Elric on the other hand had always been slower and slightly more clumsy than the elves. He did however have more brute force and the ability to take a hit like few others. Yet under the differences... they were both undeniably Salk-Sirra.

Without warning the true fight began. Elric's observation's were dead on. Alagian's speed caused two rapid fire blows to find their mark, and the elf spun out of the way of Elric's own counter blows. He clenched his teeth as the blows rained down on him, but didn't make a sound. The glint in the elf's eyes said he knew about this advantage. This was going to be interesting... Knowing your opponent is faster... doesn't really help if you can't do anything about it.

Finally he saw an opening... it was small but inviting. The smirk on the Elf's face said that he was offering it as a gift. For a moment Elric thought it was a trap, but used it anyway. The hungry glint in Alagian's eyes changed Elric's mind. He knew now the reason for the purposeful opening... it was another test. He wanted to know how hard the half-breed hit?!?

The young half-dragon was more than willing to oblige. As his fist spun into the elf's smug face, Elric focused all his strength and kicked hard. His leg connected with the elf's chest, an opening that the elder master 'hadn't' intended. It was a good hit and he felt the shock run all the way up his leg and saw the elf's eye widen in surprise. Suddenly he didn't look as confident. Alagian realized he may actually have a fight on his hands.

Though the elf had sensed the kick coming, he did not anticipate the speed at which it was delivered! Kicks were powerful, but usually much slower and clumsier than fists... Alagian 'thought' he had time to spin to the right and avoid the blow. He didn't. His movement absorbed some of the power of the half elf's strike, and as the air was driven from the elder master's lungs, he realized how glad he was of that! Speed and power. He began to think that this fight could prove more interesting than he first believed!

This time he only smiled inwardly as he continued his roll to the right, landing two impossibly fast jabs at Elric's kidney. A quick duck moved the elf's head out of elbow range. He might not be able to deliver his blows with the same power, but Alagian knew he was the faster, and being that Elric went on the defensive at that point, he knew it too... Without slowing his assault, Alagian shifted his weight to his back leg and began to bring his knee up in a turning kick. Only a feint to draw his opponent's defense and create an opening at his true target! With a quick hop, he switched his attentions and his feet mid kick, and drove his heel hard into the barely exposed opening, further abusing Elric's left kidney.

It should have at least doubled the half breed over in pain... That much damage inflicted in mere seconds to the same spot should have at least phased him. If it did, Elric wasn't giving any indication, instead he hooked Alagian's planted leg with his own, sweeping it out from under him and bringing the elf down hard onto the stone floor.

Alagian honestly couldn't remember a time when he'd been brought to the ground, but now was not the time for reflection... He was already spinning when another of Elric's kicks came in, clipping him in the ribs. Iron legs scissored in the air, catching the surprised half elf around the knees, and twisting violently bringing the cocky upstart to the ground with him!

This time it was Alagian's turn to be surprised as he rose to his feet and found Elric already standing and coming in quickly to press the attack, trying to gain an advantage on the elder tura. Easily swatting away the first punch aimed at his jaw, the elf grinned, but blocking that blow put him slightly off balance as he still hadn't gotten his feet quite underneath him...leaving him unable to properly defend against the blow to his midsection.

Pressing his advantage, the half elf came in relentlessly and put Alagian on the defensive for the first time.

Elric had finally seized the advantage and refused to give it up. As he pressed the attack hard, Alagian had little choice but to block and spin and constantly try to regain his personal space. Elric however seemed to have taken up residence right in his face!

Even then the elf wasn't an easy mark. He blocked and parried punch after punch with disturbing speed. Elric was prepared for that though. As he sent one punch in low, Alagian predictably dropped his arm and swatted it away. For just a split second his angular face was exposed, and Elric smashed his own head right into it.

Sweat and blood mixed as Alagian stumbled backward. Elric had hoped he would at least be stunned for a moment, but Eldorath had taught his son well. Rolling with the headbutt he struck fast with a punch aimed right at the wretched half-elf's throat.

Irony aside, Elric was well versed in the infamous 'throat-punch' and easily turned it aside. However it seemed that it bought the elf a much needed reprieve. They were both breathing hard from exertion though Alagian seemed to have gained a second wind. A bone crushing kick came in hard for his opponent's knee. Though Elric was barely able to block the crippling attack, he inadvertently exposed his left side again. He didn't even realize it till he felt the thunder of the elf's blow to his left kidney. Again. Apparently that was becoming a favorite target.

Gasping in pain Elric's next swing went wide and the elf easily danced around it. Now it seemed Alagian was gaining momentum. Blow after blow rained down on Elric and he found himself defending from the heels of his feet. He was barely able to twist as the elf's hand struck peculiarly light. A tingle in his right arm shocked Elric. He recognized the strike for what it was... If the elf's blow had been even a little more accurate, then his whole right arm would have been hanging useless right now. As it was, it only hurt like hell.

One good turn deserves another... As he watched the striking arm try to recoil he aimed a crippling blow to the outside of the elbow. Unfortunately the blasted elf was just TOO fast! Frustration channelling through his legs he again landed a powerful kick to Alagian's stomach that left him doubled over and gasping for air.

Alagian cursed under his breath as he stumbled backwards a couple steps from the blow. Well...he would have cursed had he any air in his lungs for such indulgences! As it stood, he considered breathing more important than cursing just now so the elf focused on doing just that.

Not one to let an opportunity pass, Elric was already coming in again launching a couple swings that the older master danced around to give himself a moment to recover. He'd seen the pain in the half elf's eyes as he landed that last punch, and unless he missed his guess, there was already some swelling starting on that left side. Alagian had no intention of letting up now!

Elric pressed the attack with enthusiasm but the dodging elf suddenly reversed directions, launching a viscous cross at the half elf's chin. He expected Elric's block, and he wasn't disappointed, using the misdirection to tuck his knee to his chest before driving the heel of his boot once again into the darkening side of the young man.

Alagian's eyebrow shot up as Elric made a grab for the offending leg. The half elf purposefully invited that kick, leaving that tempting, tender left side open to afford himself the opportunity to end this all too soon! The elf's leg blurred just out of reach. He'd narrowly avoided what could have been at best a take down, or at worst a broken knee...

The half elf wasn't done there though, and as Alagian stepped back to avoid the grab he stepped INTO range of those destructive feet, and he could almost see him gathering power once again in his legs. With a grace that couldn't have been afforded a mere half elf, Elric launched himself in the air in jaw shattering flip kick! Eldorath's son was no novice to pain but he had NO intention of getting within that arc of agony!

Alagian rolled left, avoiding the kick and gifted his opponent with a quick uppercut as he landed. Not enough to shatter a jaw, but just a little love tap before the real pain was dealt. The contemptuous elf was calling his shot, as Elric realized a fraction of a second too late... Snapping his leg up at an impossible angle, the elder master planted his boot just under Elric's chin in exactly the same place he'd just punched him, before wheeling an open palm towards the half elf's left ear.

The disappointment on Alagian's face was unmistakable. In spite of all his taunts, he could not ignore the fact that this mere half elf had just taken two VERY solid shots to the jaw and remained unphased. Not only THAT, but blocked the open palm that would have had Elric seeing stars and countered with iron fist driving for the elf's throat!

He sidestepped the punch, but apparently Alagian's previous strikes woke a sleeping dragon, and he did not like the fires that began burning even brighter in Elric's eyes... He'd have to put a stop to that...and fast! With his side exposed, the elf sensed the quick jabs that would be coming to his ribs and he accepted them. As long as they weren't kicks...

Elric obliged, and just as his second blow was striking the elf's side, Alagian deflected the blow with his forearm, absorbing some of the damage and wrapping his fingers around the half elf's wrist, solidly locking on. He twisted that wrist sharply then, causing the larger man to hunch forward in order to avoid a break as Alagian dropped his weight down onto the exposed elbow. Instead of the broken left arm that the elf was hoping to inflict, he had to settle for a slight hyperextension when Elric's strength enabled him to bend that elbow just enough to avoid disaster!

Still...Alagian had the half breed pinned now, and he had every intention of bringing as much pain as possible while Elric was in such a vulnerable position...

Elric was in a precarious position. He knew his arm only bent so far, and he could feel it was near the limit. Elric knew one counter, but it was a high risk maneuver. Especially against an opponent of this caliber. Still as he felt Alagian prepare a strike against the helpless half-dragon, he knew he had no choice.

Face nearly touching the ground and pressure only increasing on his arm, Elric braced his right hand on the floor and lifted. It caused his body to roll forward the same direction Alagian was twisting and he instantly felt the pressure release. It had worked once before against a similar hold against a priest of Oghma. The move was so unexpected the priest had lost his grip and Elric won the day...

Alagian was shocked at the counter, but apparently not shocked enough to lose his grip. The elf twisted back the other way, and the next thing Elric knew, pain was shooting through the arm as it was tucked behind him now. He felt the hot breath of the elf on the back of his neck as a sharp tug nearly lifted him off the ground. A gasp accompanied a sharp pain in his shoulder that meant either a hairline break, a dislocation, or both... and as he felt Alagian relax to yank again, he knew it was about to get worse.

With Strength borne of desperation he shot his leg down and back, straight into the elf's left knee. The elf howled in agony as his knee gave out. As the grip on his arm released, Elric drove his head straight back into the elf's face. A satisfying crunch and the feel of wet blood in his hair told Elric that the strike was good. Dazed from his second headbutt of the fight, he stumbled around to face his opponent.

A weak punch to the jaw is what greeted him. Still a hit is a hit, and after the blows to their heads, both fighters were staggering more. Alagian, blood streaming from a broken nose, seemed to come to his senses quicker and launched a devastating barrage of jabs to the growing, purple kidney area. The blows were painful but they weren't as fast as before. Elric could tell he had hurt the elf badly... Speed and precision were off, and his left leg, while not as broken as Elric had hoped..., had a serious limp to it. Though slower... the elf was still fast enough to hit the young master.

Despite seeing the attacks for what they were... his wounded left arm no longer responded with the precision needed to defend that left side. Elric was concerned now... He could tell something inside him was hurt bad... All that concentrated power to one place... over and over again... That was causing some serious damage to his body. Damage that probably wouldn't heal naturally... Thankfully he still had Ashara. Providing of course he survived...

He retaliated with his own repetitive attack. While Alagian seemed to prefer working the kidneys... Elric had most of his luck today working the gut. He spun to the left protecting his wounded side, and shot his right foot out square into the elf's stomach. As he bent forward in response, Elric's leg retracted and shot straight up to meet the elf's chin, with all the power he could muster.

Though wounded and battered Alagian wasn't out of the fight yet. His eye, ringed in a dark bruise from the broken nose, widened in surprise as he saw Elric's boot come shooting forward. He forced his knees to buckle and shoot forward, throwing the weight of his body straight backwards at an impossible angle. As he did he felt the breeze pass just over his face as Elric's deadly kick swept harmlessly past. With muscle control normal men only dreamed of, he pulled himself back upright to a guarded stance.

The elf grimaced in agony as he righted himself. Though that dodge no doubt saved him a broken jaw, all of the pressure he'd just put on his recently impaired left knee caused...something...to tear.

Alagian was in bad shape and he knew it! Broken nose, crippled knee, and that last kick to his gut felt like it shifted something that shouldn't normally be shifted. Not that Elric was much better off, but he had not intended the fight to go on this long! He still had to get out of here under his own power!

As the brutalized martial artists staggered back towards each other, Elric gathered his strength once again and launched himself into air in a graceful flip that brought the top of his boot in line with Alagian's jaw. With his knee still not properly obeying commands, the elf wasn't able to compensate quickly enough to dodge that attack, and his teeth slammed together sending more waves of pain through his skull.

Enough was enough... No more games! The elder master of salk-sirra had to put this to an end as quickly as possible!

Elric completed his acrobatics only to find a lightning fast palm driving upward into his face, crushing bone and sending blood spurting from a ruined nose. Taking advantage of the moment, Alagian pressed relentlessly onward, raining blows down on Elric who was doing everything he could to block the whirlwind of fists coming at him from every direction.

A low shin kick was blocked, giving Alagian another small opening at the half elf's splattered nose. Which he took... He was rewarded with a grunt of pain, but little else as Elric brought that leg up again and planted his heel squarely in the elf's gut! Again! Unintentionally mimicking the grunt of pain, he managed to weave out of danger of Elric's incoming spin kick that would have stopped his momentum cold!

He could tell that the half elf was reeling. Blood and tears after those wicked strikes to his face, blurred Elric's vision and Alagain was treated to an opening that he simply couldn't ignore! Gritting his teeth through the pain in his knee, the elf exploded toward the Elric suddenly, twisting his body once in the air as he drove two powerful fists into a brutal strike to the half elf's sternum. Air rushed from the young master's lungs and Alagian felt the bones give ever so slightly...

It should have killed him.

That attack should have shattered those ribs and possibly driven shards straight into Elric's heart! Though the blow had done a good deal of damage, Alagian, in his eagerness to see this battle brought to a quick close, had just made a grave error in judgement... Yet again he underestimated his opponent. Sight meant so little to one of Eldorath's students. A lesson that apparently this half elf had learned quite well! That error that was now paid in full as Elric struck downward at the exposed elf, dropping a savage, crushing fist onto the elf's right shoulder!

Bones snapped and his arm fell useless as Alagian, due both to brute force and blinding pain, was driven to one knee before the young master.

Elric gasped as he felt a flutter in his chest. At least 3 ribs were broken now... and now... something else in his chest that he was sure was important. The injuries were adding up, and he didn't know how much more he had. In Elric's opinion Alagian was worse off... but the spry elf was deceptively durable. There was no way to know for sure. All he knew for certain, was he hadn't hurt this badly since 'The Shade' back in Dagadar.

As Elric wiped the tears from his eyes and the blood from his nose and mouth, a wave of agony flooded through his broken nose and battered face. The kneeling Alagian used the distraction to strike a blow to the inside of Elric's left knee. Even blind Elric sensed the movement. By this time he was no longer thinking or planning. Every move of the dance was reactive. Muscle memory from years of training had taken over.

As the fist came in, the young master's right foot spun across his body parrying the blow at the wrist. Quick as a viper the blocking foot recoiled and struck again, hard for the scarred face.

Alagian however was no longer there. As his fist was knocked wide, the elf rolled with it. Agony from his battered knee causing him to bite back a scream. He could actually feel the power behind the kick as it again soared past his head.

Off balance from the missed target, Elric stumbled forward giving the elf enough time to regain his shaky feet. Alagian's eye narrowed as he forced the pain from his thoughts. There would be enough time for pain when the half-breed was dead. Desperate he forced as much of his weight as he could on the damaged leg and launched a kick to the midsection of his opponent. Immediately he realized his mistake.

Speed and grace were his main weapons and he had designed his dance to reflect that. Pain and injury had stolen those weapons. The elf despaired when he realized how slow the kick was, and wasn't surprised when Elric crossed both arms in front of his target and absorbed the blow.

Elric's hand latched onto the ankle of the elf and lifted up, forcing the weight of the elf back onto a leg he knew couldn't support it long. Then he stole that leg too. A powerful sweep against the wounded elf dropped him hard to the ground. Before the disoriented elf could react, Elric leaped into the air and brought the full force of his kick into Alagian's chest. This time, as bones gave way, he knew he'd hurt the elf badly.

Blood and spittle flew from the elf's mouth as Elric's boot crunched into his ribcage. He needed a moment to recover... To get back up on his feet and form some semblance of a defense!

Both masters were grievously wounded. Blood from two shattered noses had been sprayed across the stone floor, but it seemed that the majority of the bleeding was internal. Also...both masters looked as if they were weakening by the second... Unfortunately for Alagian, he knew he wouldn't win this war of attrition. The half elf had taken more abuse than he'd ever seen any man afflicted with and remain standing, yet there he stood! Staggering perhaps...but standing, and from the look of it, about to deliver the blow that would finish the elf permanently!

With his one good leg and one good arm, Alagian began dragging himself toward the back of the room as he kept an eye on the advancing half elf. He chuckled then, spewing more blood than spittle this time.

"How do you think... our tura will react when he finds out you... That you killed his son?" he gasped, grinning through red-stained teeth. "Do you think my...father will avenge me?"

A somewhat exaggerated wracking cough shook him, driving shattered bone painfully deeper into places bone wasn't supposed to be. Alagian ceased his retreat and waited for an opportunity...

Vaguely the elf's words filtered through the warrior's haze. A look of confusion crossed his face. Eldorath?!? How would he explain this... He knew he was in the right, but how would he be able to tell the closest thing he had to a father, that he'd killed his son? Painfully he tried to catch his breath. He looked down at the equally broken elf.

"You... you attack my family?" He sputtered with a nearly broken jaw. "Start this whole stupid... pointless... vendetta, and then... what?!? Try to make me feel 'guilty'?!?"

The thought was absurd. And yet he couldn't help but withdraw. As conscious thought took back over, his wounds started to overwhelm him. Adrenaline alone had been keeping him going and if he sacrificed that he was as a good as dead. Looking at the blood-stained grin on Alagian said that he knew it too.

Elric was sick of it... Sick of it all... His enemies were attacking his friends... Attacking his wife... his unborn child!!! What next? the other children? His students? They knew just where to hit him to make it hurt the most. Every warrior had weaknesses, only his had names and faces. Names and faces that his enemies used against him. Now what? His desire for peace?!? His penchant for mercy? Was that to be used as a weapon against him too?!? Anger flooded the half-dragon, and he quickly realized anger was a good as adrenaline...

"What makes you so sure.... that... Your worth Avenging?" Viciously he lashed out with a kick to the sadistic elf's face.

Like a viper's strike, Alagian's hand snatched the half elf's foot around the ankle in a vice-like grip, wrenching it violently to the side. The desperate maneuver afforded him just enough time to gather all the power he could muster, tuck his good knee to his chest and with Elric's leg still locked in his grip, drive the heel of his boot directly between the half elf's legs.

"What... What makes you so sure that I'll need....avenging!" Alagian challenged scornfully, as he staggered once again to his feet.

Elric doubled over from the agonizing cheap shot. Taking the opportunity that presented itself and chancing a little additional weight on that bad knee, the elf brought his leg up once again, snapping the top of his foot into the half elf's pain-paled jaw. It was a weak shot though... The damage to his knee, shoulder and chest had stolen any amount of power he had left. Elric seemed to sense this and growled through the pain as he came at the elf with renewed rage.

Working with only one good arm now, Alagian still managed to slap away what would have been a life-ending punch to his chest, but while he may have saved himself for the moment, he couldn't dodge the kick that crushed into his crippled knee with terrifying force!

The elf's blood-curdling scream echoed through the stone hallways as the knee folded backwards with a sickening crunch.

Alagian's eye wet with tears and blood took on a resigned look. he knew what was coming soon. Even if he was somehow able to pull a victory from the half-breed, he'd be easy pickings for the wizard. The half-breed had surprised him there was no doubt about that... he had underestimated him. Despite all the lessons his father had beaten into him... he had assumed this would be an easy fight. He prepared for one last strike. He stiffened his hand and aimed a shot toward the half-breed's blackened back. However, he was simply to slow.

Elric's fist came in with power that had shattered stone and Alagian barely protected his broken chest. He still hated his father for teaching the half-breed... but he had to begrudgingly admit, Elric had learned his lessons well. Undoubtedly due to the genius of his father... but still, the half-elf was a magnificent fighter...

As he pushed the fist aside and prepared to retaliate one last time... he saw the kick coming for his chin. Too fast... wrong angle... too much power. He knew instantly that he couldn't block this one, and he knew in his core what that meant. He had lost...

Elric didn't have much left... He knew that. This fight had to end, and it had to end soon if he had any chance of walking out under his own power, if at all. He took one more grunt and channeled as much power as he could into a kick at the smug elf's chin. If Alagian blocked it... it should still hurt him. However if he dodged it.... Well, then Elric knew he'd be opening himself up for a possible game-ending counterstrike... Still in a fight like this, sometimes you had to gamble.

Alagian did not block the kick... nor did he dodge it. Elric struck true and a thousand thoughts passed between the two warriors as their eyes met one last time. The elf's head snapped back and a crack echoed through the chamber. Alagian staggered for a split moment, then with his neck broken, crumpled like a puppet without strings. His unblinking eye staring off into the distance.

Elric had won... He could scarcely register the fact before he started to swoon from his own wounds. He was bleeding from the nose, had multiple bones broken, and could feel the shards scraping things that shouldn't be scraped. As adrenaline receded, the pain threatened to overwhelm him. He knew he was lucky to be alive, and that other men had died from beatings like he'd just taken. The chance was still good he may too. He nearly called for Ashara, but remembered the Dead Magic. Carefully he put one foot in front of the other and started to stumble back where his friend was waiting and where he could call for his wife.

The wizard watched his friend stumble toward him after what was probably the most amazing spectale of physical combat he had ever seen. These two master were so perfectly matched that no matter what anyone had said at the begining, the end was always in question. It was incredible. It was amazing. It was stupid.

His brother had risked his life for no better reason than to prove he was a better fighter. Now here he was, bleeding and broken and Therogeon had sent the only person who could save him away. Yeah, he was angry at Elric and at himself. His reasoning was sound, at least in his own mind, but it would still be a long while before Ashara forgave him.

However that was neither here nor there. Right now his immediate concern was getting Elric home. As the half-dragon exited the dead magic zone Therogeon immediately activated a function of his staff, making Elric's body light as a feather. Usually this spell was used to arrest falling. Therogeon knew however he was not strong enough to carry Elric on his own and he did not want to wait for help to arrive.

As Elric's stumble curiously slowed, the wizard activated another function of his staff hasting his own movements but carefully making sure that Elric was not affected. It would not do to have the warrior bleed out in mere seconds...not when that might happen in minutes anyway. So sped up and with Elric nearly weightless, Therogeon ran for the exit. He had to get him out of the tower, out of the feild that restricted teleporting.

As he ran he sent a message to Almara, "My love, Elric is hurt bad. Have Ashara go to her house...alone. Elric will be waiting in the bedroom. Oh, and see if she can't leave the sword behind. I want that thing locked up."

As soon as he was out of the tower, he layed Elric on the ground. He could use his staff to teleport the warrior but since it was too early for the power to have recharged on it's own it would render the staff useless for nearly thirty days. A small sacrifice to pay for saving Elric's life. Quickly he layed the staff on his friends body and placing a hand on it, activated the teleport function. When Ashara reached home Elric would be laying in his bed.

He carefully made his way back to the room with Thornton in it. He sat next to the thorn golem. "Well Thornton, looks like it will be just you and me for a little while." He got a small gleam in his eye, "I hope you're good at dice."

The half-elf swallowed hard. Pale, she slowly walked over to where the priestess could see her and softly motioned for her to come closer without the children.

Once she had Almara whispered, "It's Elric. I don't know how bad but Therogeon is worried. He says to go home and Elric will be in the bedroom." She reached out and touched the blanket holding the sword, "Leave this. It's dark magic might interfere with healing magic, if everything that Therogeon has said is true."

She looked around her once more, "And all this....for what it's worth, I -am- sorry."

"Ashara..." He muttered through a jaw that felt like it was on fire. "I beat him... I... " He spit of a glob of blood as he wheezed... Therogeon had him now, and he surrendered himself to the mages care. The world was spinning now, and he wasn't sure if it was from a concussion, or something the mage was doing...

"Aghh... I beat him... but I ... Really wish you were here... Could use a... Healing touch or two... I'm Really... " he was able to send before the Whisper ended, but the wounded half-dragon kept muttering until long after he appeared in his own bed.

The priestess went as white as her robes at Almara's words. Trying to remain calm as possible so she wouldn't frighten the children, she whispered hastily to the wizardess.

"The sword does not interfere with healing," Ashara said, shoving the wrapped blade high up on the bookshelf out of toddler reach. "I had no trouble healing my own wounds, but I have no desire to keep this thing in my home."

Grabbing her pack from the corner, she waived off the armor and shield. No time to bring that along now.

"I will be retrieving it again before Dawn to destroy the blade with Lathander's power... If Master Taldavar would like to assist he is welcome, but it will not survive another day," she whispered to Almara as she headed toward the forcefully unlocked exit. "That is neither a request nor a suggestion.

Ashara abruptly turned to the woman, briefly meeting her eyes as she pushed open the door to leave the library.

"Yes, I am angry, but I personally have been forgiven much worse in my life, so I won't hold resentment against either of you for any well-intentioned mistreatment," she said squeezing Almara's arm in a gentle attempt at comfort, though the fury in her eyes had not yet dissipated. "If there is anything to discuss on the matter, we'll do it tomorrow... There are more important things to be done yet today!"

That said, Ashara, with an air of calm surrounding her, exited the room...until the door shut...at which point the priestess bolted out of the tower as fast as she could move!

"Ashara... I beat him... I... Aghh... I beat him... but I ... Really wish you were here... Could use a... Healing touch or two... I'm Really... "

Hardly a reassuring Whisper! Heart pounding hard in her chest in fear for her husband, she began fervently praying as she made her frantic run back to the Champion's house. Only twice in her life could she remember Elric actually asking for healing. Once when he had to retreat from the battle with the Shade and once last night after facing the doppelganger with the wicked punch daggers. When he called for her to heal him, it was always serious...

"Please, Elric... stay with me! I'm on my way to you now," she Whispered, splashing through puddles of the frigid mud that had formed after this morning's rain.

Moving faster than one ought...or should even be able to, in her condition, Ashara made it to the house within a few short minutes.

She burst through the door and took the steps two at a time until she reached their bedroom.

As promised Elric lay within. Blood from his shattered nose caked his face and chest, while his hands were battered, covered in blood not all his own. His jaw didn't look as if it was sitting as it should, and his shoulder slumped at an odd angle, but most disturbing was the sheer amount of trauma that had been dealt to his left side!

His breathing was so very shallow, but it looked as if it was due to the pain of broken ribs than to near-death... Elric was alive. Abused...undoubtedly bleeding internally as well as externally, but alive!

Ashara knew all too well what could cause those injuries, though the significance of the bludgeoning alluded her at the time. She was more concerned about fixing him at that moment, than learning how his injuries came to be...

Therogeon's staff lay on his chest, and for a moment that scared the dawnlight out of her thinking that maybe the mage was hurt as well! She was certain though that Almara would have mentioned that from her conversation with him! Ashara had to assume that using the staff was the only way to get Elric here in time to get him healed...

Moving quickly to her husband's side, the priestess sat gently on the edge of the bed to catch her breath and get a better look at him. Never had she seen him as battered as he was at this moment!

Though her eyes glistened with both frightened and sympathetic tears, she attempted a smile as Elric looked up at her.

"Baby," she said pushing some stray hairs out of his swollen eyes, "this is not in tact!"

Lying safe in his own bed, in his own house, adrenaline was leaking from him faster than blood did. His wounds had stiffened and every movement was agony now. If a kitten had come into his room with the intent on finishing him, Elric didn't believe he'd have the strength left to stop it. He flinched as he heard the door swing open, but upon recognizing Ashara forced a weak smile.

"You... you should see... the other guy...." he slurred through the damaged jaw. He closed his swollen eyes and said more seriously. "Ala...gian... He won't be a threat... any more..."

Suddenly, he pushed Therogeon's staff off his chest, reached out and took her hand. Looking her in the eye he pleaded "Melamin... Just... just the little spells..." he shook his head and winced from the pain. "You.. you don't need to feel... feel this one..."

"Aratoamin...," she whispered, smiling affectionately down at him. "Only you would be concerned about me feeling pain while you lie here in pieces!"

Ashara chuckled and recited a few divine words before brushing her fingers along his jaw, sealing the simple fracture. At least he'd be able to speak without pain and while she knew he was exhausted, she was concerned about him falling asleep with what she had to believe was a concussion. Better to keep him talking!

Helping him to breathe without pain would require a bit more work...

"I'll meet you halfway," she said as she watched Elric test his newly healed jaw. "A few of these injuries may hurt us both less if I treat them separately."

Her eyes were drawn to his left side where she could see the rough edges of broken ribs threatening to poke through his flesh. Ashara winced, dumbfounded at how he was even conscious at all at this point. She removed a roll of fabric from her backpack and soaked it in the pitcher of water sitting at the bedside, very carefully washing away some of the blood and grime from his chest and side.

"Are these...burns?!" She said with surprise as some of his flesh sluffed off onto the cloth. "What did they do to you down there, Love? Who was this Alagian? I'm guessing he wasn't a priest of Cyric... Priests don't normally hit like...this..."

While listening for his reply, Ashara's hands worked with feathery softness at his left side while she prayed for the magics that would gently knit those shattered ribs back together, heal what was left of Elric's lacerated kidney, and stop all the internal bleeding...

"No... Not a priest of Cyric." He said as he flexed his repaired jaw a few times. His voice still sounded weak to him, but at least his words were a little clearer. "Though the Cyricist was responsible for the three demons and the fire elemental..."

He was quiet for a moment as Ashara worked. Gentle hands assessing the damage and the most efficient means of restoration. Everything had happened so fast down there, the reality of the situation was still catching up to him. "Alagian..." He grunted as he felt a rib magically slide back to it's proper position. "Alagian was Eldorath's son..." he whispered sadly. "He... 'disapproved' of a half-elf knowing Salk-sirra... and further disapproved of my teaching other N'tel Quessir

"This whole thing... the last two days... has all been a vendetta against me..."

The priestess' eyes snapped up to meet her husband's.

"Eldorath had a son?! I don't think I've ever read a memory about him, or heard you speak of him..."

Ashara's mind reeled at the implications. Elric had just killed his Tura's son, who was working with a priest of Cyric?? One of the doppelgangers told Eddick last night that they were sent to replace the Champions, and those type of tactics just reeked of Cyricist involvement to her, but the pieces just didn't seem to fit together...

Still shocked by the news Ashara dropped her eyes back to Elric's battered side, going to work again this time with slightly trembling hands.

"You mean to tell me that all of this death these past few hours can be attributed to one bigoted elf!?" she said through gritted teeth. "Eldorath's son allied himself with a follower of Cyric??"

She shook her head sadly, her eyebrows crushed together in thought. Elric hadn't even heard yet about his two youngest students that had been killed by that shadowy sword... Now probably wasn't the time. She really didn't want to think about what had been done to Aretis either...

"Is Therogeon safe? Is Thornton?" Ashara asked suddenly, lifting her eyes once again. "Has the danger finally passed? No more doppelgangers? No more...undead?

"I'm sorry... Too many questions... It's been difficult not knowing what was going on, nor being able to do anything about it," she sighed, trying to explain. "Take your time. If it hurts too much, we can speak on these things later. I'm just hoping that the children... That Impresk is safe again!"

Elric grimaced as the questions kept flying at him. Honestly he didn't have the answers... with Alagian dead, he may never have them...

"Thornton was broken pretty bad... but Therogeon was fine last I saw..." His mouth pressed into a fine line as he added. "I don't really remember much about the trip out of there... but I don't think there was 'much' more danger down there...

"As for Alagian, Eldorath never spoke about him... at least not with me. I overheard the name once... but had long forgotten it." A groan escaped him as something else snapped back in place. His head was killing him, but he kept talking anyway...

"I don't know how he got hooked up with the Cyricists... Probably friends of Tenithalosa... He was as upset about Aretis having his sword... as he was me knowing Eldorath's fighting style." He stopped suddenly at Aretis' name. He may have beaten Alagian, but not all the Champion's came away unscathed. "What happened with him... The priest seemed pretty confident Aretis wouldn't be beaten... Took you longer than I'd expected... You had me worried."

Ashara swallowed hard and met Elric's swollen gaze briefly, wordlessly telling him just how near to disaster she'd been in that brief fight. Remove Curse was not a spell normally granted to Morninglords. If she hadn't happened to have that scroll on her at the time...

"He didn't deserve that kind of death... I wouldn't even have wished that on the priest of Cyric!"

She ran a bloody hand through her hair in frustration. "I didn't know what kind of undead he was at first... I'd only ever read of Curst and considering the difficulty of their creation, I never thought I'd see one, let alone one I recognized!

"He knew who I was, Elric," she said, her voice cracking. "Called me by name asking me to kill him! Aretis thanked me before he crumpled to ASH!"

Ashara sniffled and angrily brushed away the moisture from her eyes.

"Maybe Therogeon was right... Maybe I should never have left the tower, but if I hadn't, Aretis would have wreaked havoc on this town! Besides," she explained, trying to justify her actions, "I couldn't just SIT there and wait after Almara told me Therogeon had almost died down there! I couldn't!"

Ashara sighed sadly. "I didn't mean to worry you...or upset you," she said, her voice laden with vulnerability.

The final broken rib slid back into its proper place and she winced hearing Elric groan in pain. There was still damage there to his side, but it had been repaired enough for the moment. Carefully she leaned in to inspect the ruin of his nose.

She hated seeing him like this... Broken... In agony... Thank Lathander for the power he granted her to heal and comfort!

"Only a few more things to mend and I'll take your pain away, Melamin..."

"You... You always do, Lirimaer... You always do..."

His body shuddered as he listened to her recount the ranger's fate. Whether from fear of anger he couldn't be certain. They both battled for supremacy. It wasn't often that Ashara feared undead... But to be used that way... as an undead tool... a weapon?! Worst of all to be self aware at the time?!? Despite their differences, he'd never dreamed Aretis' story would end that way. It was wrong on so many levels. He deserved better than that. His wife may not wish that fate on her worst enemies... but remembering the smug gloating of the priest and the mocking tone of the elf, he couldn't guarantee he felt the same.

He shook his head at her and winced as his nose jostled. "You stayed behind longer than I expected you to... Remember, staying behind was 'your' decision... not Therogeons'. If you thought... or knew... that friends and family were in danger, of course you'd come running in." He found himself grinning despite the severity of the situation.

"It's who you are... Who we BOTH are... Adventurers... Heroes... people who foolishly charge TOWARD the screaming... However you want to phrase it! Don't think that because I worry, I doubt your ability... You obviously came through your test better than 'I' did... "

"It was my decision to stay behind unless I was needed, yes," she began softly as some of the heat from her residual anger rushed to her cheeks, "but when I tried to come to help, it was not my decision to be tricked into being Teleported away into a LOCKED room, without so much as the courtesy of asking! THAT decision was Therogeon's."

Ashara shut her mouth before her temper got the better of her again. He didn't need to be burdened with any further issues, and truthfully she wasn't upset with the mage... She knew he was just looking out for her and their child. The priestess was simply hurt by the thought that he trusted neither her abilities nor her judgement.

Speaking of trust... She didn't trust her quivering fingers to heal her husband's nose quite yet, so instead she whispered another divine word and gently laid her hand on Elric's fractured and dislocated shoulder. She winced again at his grunt of pain as the magic slid it back into place with a dull pop.

"None of it matters," she sighed as she ever so carefully wiped some of the blood from Elric's face and around his nose. "He meant well. I know that..."

Ashara rewet the cloth in the now slightly bloody pitcher of water and rung it out. "I'm so lucky to be married to someone who wants to foolishly charge toward the screaming with me at their side," she smiled brightly, as she leaned in again to finish cleaning up his swollen face. "Thank you for your faith in me, Elric... I hope I've made it clear enough over the years just how much faith I have in you as well!

"As to 'my test'," she said, shaking her head slowly, "that was a lot closer than was comfortable... That sword Aretis was using..." A shudder was enough to express to him the horror of it.

A shadow crossed Elric's face as he listened to the concern in her voice. She had truly been afraid of that battle. He still remembered the mocking voice of the priest. 'Do you think they'll become One shadow or Two... He crushed his eyes closed against the memory. Just thinking about it made him wish he could kill that monster in human form a second time... The motion moved his nose again, and he winced again. "It's... ughh... It's over now... Just one more nightmare we can put behind us."

There had been a few new ones to add to the list. The doppelgangers, Marstine, the priest, Alagian... now Shadowswords and Aretis. All in less than twenty four hours!

"I wish I had as much talent as you have faith in me..." he said with a self-depreciating chuckle. "This is twice in much to short of time, that I've found myself waking to your healing touch..." He foolishly tried to sit but Ashara wasn't nearly as finished with him as he'd hoped. Pain to the point of nausea rolled over him from the left side and his eyes went wide as he gingerly laid back down. "I'd like to say... It looks worse than it was... but, I'm not sure that would be honest this time... I think this was a bad one.

"Alagian was... he was magnificent! I've never fought ANYONE like him before... but still... I think that one was too close... Therogeon was probably right... Fighting him was a stupid thing to do..." He hazarded a grin as he took her hand.

"Speaking of Therogeon... Try to be patient with him. Remember... He just found out he's going to be... a daddy today. That tends to make men loose their heads a bit... If our mage is feeling a little... 'over' protective of the women-folk... at least his heart is in the right place. Remember what I was like the first time..."